[115] I was being petty; I shouldn't have cared!

Ji Shen's words left Wen Shuang momentarily speechless. His explanation was impeccably righteous, elevating the issue to a matter of high principle. If she were to make a fuss over it, she would seem unreasonable and selfish, as if she were blaming him for attending to official duties. She gave a light laugh. "So it was just a coincidence. Miss Jiang returned to the country, and a stampede just happened to occur at the airport." "Her return was sudden. Fans and reporters swarmed the airport as soon as they got the news. Security was understaffed and there was a lack of police presence in the area, so the Municipal Police Department was notified." Ji Shen's voice was deep and solemn. "I didn't go there for any lingering personal feelings. I was following orders from my superiors, and protecting the public is the bounden duty of a police officer." Wen Shuang nodded thoughtfully. "I'm sorry, I misunderstood you. You were serving the people. I have no right to interfere, nor any reason to be angry." Ji Shen reached for her hand, but Wen Shuang pulled away, refusing his touch. She recalled the photo in the news: Ji Shen shielding Jiang Ning with one arm, tall and upright, his face full of protective fervor, while the woman cowered behind him, looking so frail and vulnerable. She refused to believe that after four years, seeing his first love again, Ji Shen felt absolutely nothing. "Officer Ji, did you see the headline photo in the news? The way you shielded Miss Jiang practically radiated the charm of a perfect boyfriend." As if they were the ones who were a match made in heaven. Ji Shen fell silent for a moment. "That was just the reporter's angle. I would have fiercely protected anyone who was in danger, without exception." "Alright," Wen Shuang said. "I was being too petty. I shouldn't have made an issue out of it. I'm tired, Officer Ji. Go do your work, I'm going to rest." She lay back down, unwilling to converse any further. Seeing her like this, Ji Shen couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation, and he turned and left. Once she heard the door click shut, tears streamed uncontrollably down Wen Shuang's cheeks. Everything Ji Shen had just said made perfect sense. He was a police officer; upon receiving orders from his superiors, he had to rush to the scene without hesitation. When Jiang Ning was in danger, it was his duty as an officer to shield her firmly behind him. There was nothing wrong with any of that. Yet, Wen Shuang still couldn't accept it. During those seven agonizing hours she struggled in the operating room, the man she loved deeply had been tightly protecting another woman! ... Ji Shen went outside and smoked several cigarettes, taking long, deep drags and exhaling heavily. Wen Shuang was too stubborn. She could be incredibly gentle, but once she was angry, she wouldn't listen to any explanations, stubbornly clinging only to what she believed. He had taken care of her with all his heart over the past few months. He had never cared for a woman like this before, not even Jiang Ning back then.

Just then, his phone rang. It was a familiar ringtone. He hesitated for a few seconds before finally answering. "Shen, it's me." A soft, gentle female voice came through. Ji Shen took a deep drag, the smoke blurring the scar at the corner of his eye. "What is it?" "Shen, I'm calling specifically to thank you. If you hadn't arrived in time that day, I might not have made it out unharmed." "It was just part of the job. I would have done the same for anyone." There was a pause on the other end. "You're still as dedicated to your duty as ever. It seems your unwavering choice of this career back then was the right one." Jiang Ning laughed softly. "Are you free tomorrow evening? I'd like to treat you to dinner. We haven't seen each other in years, and I'd love to catch up." "Sorry, I'm busy." Rejected, Jiang Ning wasn't upset. "Busy tomorrow, then what about in a few days?" "I'm busy for the foreseeable future," Ji Shen said indifferently. "Miss Jiang, I think since we broke up so many years ago and have both moved on with our lives, there's really nothing to catch up on." He hung up. Jiang Ning froze, her smile stiffening on her face. Ji Shen had changed! Over the past four years, although they hadn't met, she could clearly sense that he hadn't let her go. On New Year's Eve a year ago, she called him from abroad to wish him a happy new year, and he answered almost instantly. He even asked if she was doing well. Jiang Ning said everything was fine. Then he asked: When are you willing to come back? That was when Jiang Ning knew he must be waiting for her return. But she was heavily focused on her career then, eager to prove herself abroad, so she told him it would be a long while. Ji Shen was silent for a moment before saying: I wish you success. After that, she would still call him from time to time, and their contact had never really been cut off. Until three months ago, when she called again and he didn't answer. She sensed something was wrong; perhaps there was someone new in his life. That was why she rushed back. But during their reunion at the airport, he had still protected her. Jiang Ning believed that he definitely hadn't completely forgotten her! ... Wen Shuang unilaterally decided to ignore Ji Shen.

The matter was like a thorn in her side, aching every time she thought about it. She gritted her teeth and completed her rehabilitation on her own this week. Whenever Ji Shen tried to touch her, she would refuse to continue. He was helpless against her stubborn temper. He had explained everything he could and said all the right things. Ji Shen was actually exhausted too. He had been taking care of her through the night for days, barely getting any proper sleep, and she still wouldn't give him a good look. His irritation drove him to smoke more and more. That afternoon, Wen Shuang finally managed to walk a long distance with her crutches, but on the very last step, she accidentally slipped! Just as she braced for the searing pain, the man caught her with lightning reflexes! "Careful!" Seeing it was Ji Shen, Wen Shuang coldly turned her head away. "Thank you, Officer Ji, but I can manage on my own. No need to trouble yourself." Ji Shen frowned. "You're exhausted. Stop pushing yourself." Wen Shuang simply dropped her crutches and broke free. She stubbornly gritted her teeth and clung to the wall, making her way back to the ward on her own. Ji Shen's frown deepened. This woman, Wen Shuang, was just too stubborn! Those around them who had witnessed their dynamic had tried to persuade her more than once to let it go, but she just couldn't, harboring a lingering resentment. That day, the criminal investigation squad came to visit again, their words as sweet as ever. "Sister-in-law, how can you look so gorgeous even when you're sick? You're practically a celestial fairy!" "Yeah, even the term 'sick beauty' doesn't do you justice. You're an absolute goddess, simply breathtaking!" Wen Shuang curved her lips into a smile. Everyone could still see the unnaturalness in her demeanor when Ji Shen was mentioned. The two of them must be having a spat. They worked together to cheer her up for an hour, finally bringing a smile back to the somewhat melancholic Wen Shuang. Xiao Zhang, who was sharp as a tack, had also seen Captain Ji today, standing by the door, smoking with a deeply melancholic air. He had never looked this brooding even when dealing with the toughest cases. Xiao Zhang decided to give his captain a hand. Otherwise, at this rate, Captain Ji was going to end up a bachelor again! Xiao Zhang deliberately left last. He said, "Sister-in-law, do you know why Captain Ji has been able to stay with you for so long this time? I bet a prideful guy like him would just say he's on a long vacation, but that's not it. He's actually been temporarily suspended from duty by the bureau!"